8) Vincent Kompany (Manchester City & Belgium)
A rock and a leader at the back for Manchester City again this season, title-winning centre-back Vincent Kompany will almost certainly be an influential figure for Belgium at this summer’s World Cup. Marc Wilmots’ side have a superb generation of talented players at the moment and will now have greater expectations than ever before to cope with on the international stage. Like Kompany, so many of the country’s key players are now playing for some of the biggest club sides in the world, and a calm and collected figure like the City skipper who has the experience of winning major trophies will be a great asset as the Belgians look to make a name for themselves in Brazil.